Chapter 22 Cove #3
He clears his throat. “Thought so. It still doesn’t make sense how you ended up here, and worse, with another man. It’s like you wanted to hurt me.”
“Never. I knew before Chicago that I couldn’t see you right away. Or at least until everything with Nathaniel was settled. I needed to be sure he was good for the money. Especially after the stipulation he put on my request.”
As expected, Stetson’s head jerks up. “Stipulation? What’s that supposed to mean?”
I cross my arms at my chest, and he doesn’t miss the tremble that runs through me. “Here. Sit down,” he offers, but I decline. I can’t sit. Not when my mind is in overdrive, and I need to get these words out so I can move on without guilt weighing me down.
“I think I had unrealistic expectations speaking to him again for the first time. Not that I expected a warm welcome, but at least something other than hostility. I still have no idea why he hates me so much. I mean, I have a bit of an idea now, but still. He’s my father.
” I take a deep breath, knowing I’m about to tell Stetson something that could potentially change the way he views his best friend.
Or it could change nothing. I’m not really sure what awaits, so I continue.
“He told me he’d help me, but not unless I do something for him in return.
I was to play his dutiful daughter, enough to convince his soon-to-be business partner that family is important to him.
Along with winning over the heart of his partner’s son, Austin, who will be taking over his father’s role in the company.
The media needed to see Austin and me happy and in love.
Nathaniel said I only needed to play the part for a week, then once the deal was finalized, I’d have my money. ”
“He. Did. What?”
I don’t repeat myself. Actually, I don’t say anything, but I know he heard me, and something about the way his eyes bulge and his teeth grit together tells me he’s angry.
Angry might be an understatement.
“I didn’t have a choice but to agree with his terms. I needed the money, Stetson. Please tell me you understand that.”
Stetson stands from the swing, his dominating presence consuming me as he takes a careful step forward, and I take one back on instinct. “He used you in a business transaction.” He’s not asking—he’s telling.
I gulp. “He did. But I also asked for money.”
“Defending him won’t spare his life, Cove. That son of a bitch.”
“I’m not trying to. But it’s the truth.”
Another step closer. “And what did Nate promise you at the end of all this? I need details. Tell me everything.” Heat radiates off his tall frame.
“If I’m successful in convincing the media that Austin and I are a happy couple and the deal with Hartwell is secured, he’ll give me enough money to ensure my mom is set financially for the rest of her life.
I’ll never have to worry about her struggling again.
He doesn’t know it’s going toward her, but I do. ”
“Motherfucker!” Stetson shouts, tugging his hair with force as his body flails in anger.
It’s when his hands softly find my face as he closes in on me that I know he’s furious because he cares.
He cares about me. “You listen to me right now, my love. You are not an item to be used as a pawn. Do you hear me?”
I nod, tears filling my eyes at the kindness of his reassurance.
“I knew something wasn’t right,” he exhales, sorrow burning a hole through his composure.
“I knew something was off with Nate. I could tell right away. I’m sorry he ever made you feel like you weren’t worth sticking around for.
You are invaluable to me. Shame on him for not seeing what a disservice he’s doing to himself.
” Stetson’s words vibrate across my lips, his erratic breath and urgency a pulsating feeling that touches my soul.
“And as for the fucking city boy, keep playing along until I say otherwise. I’m going to help you get out of this, Cove.
You’ll get the money you’re owed. Just let me handle your father. Okay?”
I nod repeatedly, overwhelmed by not only Stetson’s words of pride but the utter relief from telling him the truth. I only hoped he’d understand. But of course he would.
Stetson not only executes sovereignty with his staff and the way he speaks, he lives it.
Without looking away, Stetson swipes a stray curl from my face and tucks it behind my ear. I can’t help it; I lean into the motion. His care is tangible. “No more kissing him. Or I can’t promise what I’ll do. And I’d like to avoid turning the party my sister has worked hard on into a bloodbath.”
“Does that mean you forgive me?” I ask, the first sign of hope at the end of all this settling in my chest.
The same thumb that traced my cheek now meets my bottom lip, just slightly enough that the touch could be missed. But I feel it like a second skin, the familiar sensation Stetson has always kindled inside of me.
“I forgive you. But I also want to kiss you, and I’m not sure I should.”
A soft smile crests my lips, in no way mirroring Stetson’s conflict. “I’d beg to differ.”
“And we both know how much you like to beg,” he whispers, blue eyes drinking in the fullness of my lips and soft whimpers I can’t hold back. My tongue reaches out to touch the tip of his thumb, anything to make him break.
“Kiss me, Stet. Get rid of him.”
His contemplation crumbles before he can challenge it to a battle.
A growl resounds between us, his calloused hands gripping my face like he’s the one who needs saving.
“Fuck it.” His lips crash to mine in seconds, the proximity of our bodies too far away for our needs to be met.
Stetson lifts me, directing my legs around his waist while he walks us to the swing he just vacated.
“He can’t have you. Not when you were always mine. ”
I hum against his lips, our tongues dueling for the upper hand.
There’s also submission. We’ve craved each other for too long now, convinced we’d never savor the taste of each other again.
But now, all bets are off. The give and take of our kiss doesn’t let up as I settle on Stetson’s lap, the jolt of the swing making me giggle. “What if someone finds us?”
“Then they find us.”
“Stetson,” I whisper across his lips, loving when he pulls my bottom one with his teeth and bites down. “I can’t lose this money.”
“And I can’t lose you.” He pulls back and plants kisses down the side of my neck, slowly and teasingly. “But I’m not a fucking child. I won’t hide you if we’re caught.”
I shake my head, still not sure how this can end well for either of us. “But what about Nathaniel? He’s your best friend. I never meant to be the thing that causes issues between you two. I just can’t have him in my life.”
“As far as I’m concerned, Nate can rot in hell. It makes sense why he told me to stay away from you. I think even he could tell you meant something to me but didn’t want to acknowledge it.”
I rear back. “Wait, what? He said something to you about me?”
Stetson nods. “He told me to stay away from you. Said you’d be marrying Austin and didn’t want me interfering.”
I could scream. “I hate him so much.”
“I told you, I’ll handle him. You can trust me.
But let me be clear about something, Cove.
If Austin lays another finger on you in a way that’s not a fucking handshake or a method of feeding you, I’ll escort his limp body out myself.
There will be no fake consent. You don’t want to be touched?
Then he doesn’t fucking touch you. End of story. ”
“I understand. But I will still have to sleep in the room with him. You need to get over that if we want this to work.”
“I don’t have to like it,” he exclaims. “But I know you can handle yourself. You made it this far.” My face softens, all while pride fills me. “You aren’t alone anymore, Cove. I’ve got you. Okay?”
“Okay. You’ve got me,” I whisper. We’re no longer kissing, yet it’s just as intimate. I have a feeling we’ve got a lot of missed moments to make up for. But this isn’t the time or place. Not when everyone Stetson loves, minus two, are a football field away from us.
I’m just grateful he believed me without argument. Not even at the request of concrete proof, which I would have been happy to give him. He trusted my word, and that means everything to me.
He pats my bottom and sets his cowboy hat back on his head. “You should head back to dinner.”
“But the view just got so much better.” I tap the tip of his Lucchese hat, the naked black leather sliding along the pad of my finger like satin.
The grin I’ve missed is back, and I could dance like a lovesick fool, thrilled it’s directed at me. Stetson transfers the hat to my head. “You know what they say?”
I smirk. “You wear the hat, you ride the cowboy. Yeah, I know the saying, big guy. But what if I told you I preferred you to be the one who rides me?”
Stetson traces my exposed skin with his hand, from the top of my shoulder to the edge of my wrist. “Then I’d be an idiot not to ask what you had in mind.”
I slide off his lap and place a quick kiss on his lips. “Well, that’s for me to know and you to find out, cowboy.”
The vision Stetson becomes with a smile on his face stirs a frenzy of butterflies in my stomach. “Yes, ma’am. Whatever you say.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Now, please go think of a plan while I stuff my face with one of your Aunt Marge’s homemade brownies. I need to eat my feelings before facing tomorrow.”